West Sussex · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Cote
Know where you stand with the roof before you spend money on it. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Cote, with photos and a clear written report.
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Landlords, agents and building managers in Cote and across West Sussex can book any of our surveys. To discuss a property or a block, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Letting agents often book on a landlord’s behalf, and the report can go to both. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
Pre-purchase roof survey in Cote: what you get
Older homes often have roofs that have been patched over the years. Corroded nails let slates slide, valley linings wear thin and chimney mortar erodes. Little of that is easy to judge from the pavement on a viewing. We look closely and record what we see, with photos that show you exactly where. We explain each finding in plain English, so you know what it means for the house you are buying. If you’ve noticed quick fixes on flashings and valleys and chimney mortar that has eroded, we can find out what’s behind it, on flat-roofed extensions and dormers, lead flashings and valleys and natural slate alike.
Older buildings in small places like Cote may be listed or in a conservation area. That can affect what materials a new roof may use, so check with the council and Historic England’s list. For a buyer or someone with a newly finished roof, it is worth knowing which applies. There are about 500,000 listed buildings and around 10,000 conservation areas in England.
Nothing in the report is left vague: if work is needed, the report says so clearly, along with how urgent it is.
- Place
- Cote (BN13)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Common roof problems in Cote
Patch repairs are common on roofs of every age. Bitumen over flashings, mortar fillets in place of lead and odd replacement tiles can point to a problem that keeps coming back. Our report records them so you can ask the seller what was done and when.
People usually book a survey when they’ve noticed something like this:
- Loose pots and cracked flaunching
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or gone
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
- Blocked or leaking gutters
If you own one of the older houses in the streets near St Symphorian's Church, older patch repairs can hide behind a tidy front slope, and the survey looks past them.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- What the survey will not cover
- What happens after the report arrives
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
Honest limits
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- Anything beyond the roof, which a full home survey covers
- A valuation or a promise of a lower price
- Structural calculations (that’s a structural engineer’s job)
If you’re not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer before booking. What a survey covers and does not.
Roofs we survey in Cote
- The roof space
- Natural slate
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Gutters and downpipes
- Chimney stacks
- Lead flashings and valleys
Pre-purchase roof surveys around Cote
Cote is within about 3 miles of the coast, and wind near the sea can be strong. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Material and age explain a lot of what turns up on the day, whether the roof is old or brand new.
Ecclesden Manor lies about 2.5 miles south-west, so building around Cote goes back a long way. If you are buying an older home nearby, it is worth knowing whether it’s listed or in a conservation area before you plan any re-roofing. For landlords with property near Durrington-On-Sea station, a roof report gives you a clear picture before you buy or settle up with a roofer.
Cote is about 2 miles north-west of Worthing, in West Sussex. From houses to flats and shops in Cote, we can survey the roof on a weekday or at the weekend. Across West Sussex, we cover Cote and the places around it. There’s also a page for Brighton.
Here we cover the BN13 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys. Close by, we survey roofs in Durrington (1 mile south-east), High Salvington (1 mile north-east), Clapham (1 mile west), Patching (2 miles west) and Findon (2 miles north). Further out, we also cover Bognor Regis (12 miles west), Burgess Hill (15 miles north-east), Littlehampton (5 miles south-west), Shoreham-by-Sea (7 miles east), Lancing (4 miles east) and Rustington (4 miles south-west).
Near you in Cote
Around Cote, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Durrington High School, Clapham Wood and Palatine Primary School. The nearest railway station is Durrington-On-Sea station, about 1.8 miles south of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include The Acre (2.8 miles south-east) and Old Castle (1.7 miles south-east). Open spaces near Cote include Highdown Hill.
Cote questions
Will you come out to Cote?
Yes, Cote is covered. We work right across London and the South East, from towns to the smallest villages. Longer journeys are simply planned in advance.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Cote?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, if the building owner or managing agent agrees access. We look at the parts we are given access to.
When will the report arrive?
The Premium Survey has a same-day report, Standard 24 to 48 hours and Basic within 48 hours. Reports are emailed with photos included.
Will you need to get into the loft?
If it can be arranged, yes. Inside, the loft shows leaks, damp timbers and the underlay. If we can’t get in, the report says so.
Can I take the findings back to the seller?
Yes. You might ask for work to be done, ask questions or ask for a change to the price. The outcome is between you and the seller.
Do you inspect the roof from on top?
Only where it’s safe. We also inspect from ground level, upper windows and the loft space.
How it works
We will ask a few questions first, such as when any problem began and what work has been done before. Then the inspection itself takes about one to two hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. Around Cote, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- Once your offer is accepted, you tell us the address and when you hope to exchange.
- Access to the house and the loft space is agreed in advance.
- The visit begins outside, from ground level and any safe vantage points.
- Inside, we check the roof space and look at the roof from windows.
- You get a written report with photos and recommendations before you exchange.
Getting ready for the survey
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- If you are buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Note where any stains or damp appear
How to book
Unsure which package suits your roof? The easiest way is to phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We will explain the options and the price.
Related advice
More services for Cote
Why get it checked now?
It is tempting to skip the roof to keep a sale moving. We visit on any day of the week, and a Premium report comes the same day, so it can fit around a tight timetable. Older and listed buildings around Cote may need consent and matching materials for repairs, so a defect found early gives time to plan the work properly.
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the report isn’t charged as an extra. Prices start from £150, including VAT. Where your roof sits in the range depends on its size, height and access.
Why book with us
- Clear package prices, including VAT
- An independent look at the roof
- 98% of clients satisfied
- Visits on any day of the week
Read our cost guide and what we found on two real jobs.
Practical tips
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week, before and after a survey:
- Arrange the survey as soon as your offer is agreed
- Check we’ll be able to get into the loft space
- Ask the seller about past roof repairs
- Ask whether there are papers for past roof work
If the report shows work is needed, you can raise it with the seller or agent. Some buyers ask for repairs before completion, others ask for a change to the price. What happens next is your decision and the seller’s, and we cannot promise any result.
Every so frequently, check the loft with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. Damp patches, daylight through the roof or water stains on timbers are worth noting. Take photos so you can show whoever looks at it.